Corporate Social Responsibility Policy

For us in the Aditya Birla Group, reaching out to underserved communities is part of our DNA. We
believe in the trusteeship concept. This entails transcending business interests and grappling with
the "quality of life" challenges that underserved communities face, and working towards making a
meaningful difference to them.
Our vision is – "to actively contribute to the social and economic development of the communities
in which we operate. In so doing to build a better, sustainable way of life for the weaker sections of
society and raise the country's human development index". (Mrs. Rajashree Birla, Chairperson,
Aditya Birla Centre for Community Initiatives and Rural Development).

Implementation process: Identification of projects

All projects are identified in a participatory manner, in consultation with the community, literally
sitting with them and gauging their basic needs. We take recourse to the participatory rural
appraisal mapping process. Subsequently, based on a consensus and in discussion with the village
panchayats, and other influential people, projects are prioritised.
Arising from this the focus areas that have emerged are Education, healthcare, Sustainable
livelihood, Infrastructure development, and espousing social causes. All of our community projects
are carried out under the aegis of The Aditya Birla Centre for Community Initiatives and Rural
Development.

Education
Our endeavour is to spark the desire for learning and knowledge at every stage through

 Formal schools
 Balwadis for elementary education
 Quality primary education
 Aditya Bal Vidya Mandirs
 Girl child education
 Adult education programmes

Healthcare
Our goal is to render quality healthcare facilities to people living in the villages and elsewhere
through

 Our hospitals
  Primary healthcare centres
 Mother and Child care projects
 Immunisation programmes with a thrust on polio eradication
 Healthcare for visually impaired, and physically challenged
 Preventive health through awareness programmes

Sustainable Livelihood
Our programmes aim at providing livelihood in a locally appropriate and environmentally
sustainable manner through

 Formation of Self Help

 Groups for women empowerment
 Vocational training through Aditya Birla Rural Technology Parks
 Agriculture development and better farmer focus
 Watershed development
 Partnership with Industrial Training Institutes

Infrastructure Development
We endeavour to set up essential services that form the foundation of sustainable development
through

 Basic infrastructure facilities

 Housing facilities
 Safe drinking water
 Sanitation & hygiene
 Renewable sources of energy

Social Change
We advocate and support

 Dowryless marriage
 Widow remarriage
 Awareness programmes on anti-social issues
 De-addiction campaigns and programmes
 Espousing basic moral values

Performance Management
Prior to the commencement of projects, we carry out a baseline study of the villages. The study
encompasses various parameters such as – health indicators, literacy levels, sustainable livelihood
processes, population data – below the poverty line and above the poverty line, state of
infrastructure, among others. From the data generated, a 1-year plan and a 5-year rolling plan are
developed for the holistic and integrated development of the marginalised. These plans are
presented at the Annual Planning and Budgeting meet. All projects are assessed under the agreed
strategy, and are monitored every quarter, measured against targets and budgets. Wherever
necessary, midcourse corrections are affected.
Organisational Mechanism and Responsibilities
The Aditya Birla Centre for Community Initiatives and Rural Development provides the vision
under the leadership of its Chairperson, Mrs. Rajashree Birla. This vision underlines all CSR
activities. Every manufacturing unit has a CSR Cell. Every Company has a CSR Head, who reports to
the Dr. Pragnya Ram, Group Executive President (Communications & CSR) at the Centre. At the
Company, the Business Director takes on the role of the mentor, while the onus for the successful
and time bound implementation of the projects is on the various Unit Presidents and CSR teams. To
measure the impact of the work done, a social satisfaction survey / audit is carried out by an
external agency.
Partnerships
Collaborative partnerships are formed with the Government, the district authorities, the village
panchayats, NGOs and other like-minded stakeholders. This helps widen the Company's reach and
leverage upon the collective expertise, wisdom and experience that these partnerships bring to the
table.
In collaboration with FICCI, we have set up Aditya Birla CSR Centre for Excellence to make CSR an
integral part of corporate culture.
The Company engages with well-established and recognised programmes and national platforms
such as the CII, FICCI, ASSOCHAM to name a few, given their commitment to inclusive growth.
Budgets
A specific budget is allocated for CSR activities. This budget is project driven.
Information Dissemination
The Company's engagement in this domain is disseminated on its website, annual reports, its house
journals and through the media.
Management Commitment
Our Board of Directors, our Management and all of our employees subscribe to the philosophy of
compassionate care. We believe and act on an ethos of generosity and compassion, characterised by
a willingness to build a society that works for everyone. This is the cornerstone of our CSR policy.
Our Corporate Social Responsibility policy conforms to the Corporate Social Responsibility
Voluntary Guidelines spelt out by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India in
collaboration with FICCI (2009).

Corporate social responsibility policy (.pdf 80 kb)